By Mohammed Allie BBC Sport, Cape Town

Mashaba will seek legal redress against Safa

Beleaguered South African coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba will take his employers, the South African Football Association (Safa) , to court.

This follows his dramatic seven-day suspension on Wednesday, the day before Bafana Bafana's departure for their Cosafa Cup away clash against Mauritius which they lost 2-0.

Mashaba was in consultation with his lawyers throughout Friday and referred all media queries to his legal representatives, saying he was under instruction from them not to speak on the current dispute.

I have received tremendous support Shakes Mashaba

Instead, he issued a media statement on Saturday in which he confirmed that he would be taking the matter to court.

"A notice of suspension alleging that I had breached my agreement with Safa, without detailing the facts of my alleged breach, was sent to my house on the evening of 7th January 2004," Mashaba's statement began.

"This necessitated my seeking legal advice about my suspension and the unfair manner in which I have been treated by Safa.

"I have been in consultation with my legal team and court proceedings have been set in motion to challenge the fairness of my suspension.

"I have received tremendous support from all corners of South Africa for which I am grateful," he added.

Safa CEO Albert Mokoena said the manager had seven days in which to rectify his "breach of contract," which included not monitoring the performance of players and not promoting the interests of the country.

But several leading South African labour experts believe Mashaba's suspension is flawed, since Safa did not issue specific reasons as to why he was suspended.